The town of Gentry has been without a grocery store of its own for nearly a month and a half. But Monday night, local grocery chain Harps announced it will be setting up shop in town along Highway 59 and plans to open its doors by later this year.

"There's been some frustration," said Gentry Mayor Kevin Johnston of the situation the town has been in since the town's Walmart Neighborhood market closed in late January.

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Since then, those in Gentry have had to make the roughly 10-mile trek down the road to Siloam Springs to pick up their groceries.

Earlier this year, Walmart made the decision to close hundreds of locations worldwide including the neighborhood market stores in the towns of Gentry, Decatur, and Gravette. And each spot was left without a grocery store of its own.

But Monday night, Gentry's mayor announced that Harps would be building a new grocery store in town. The store will be built in what used to be a Marvin's IGA store located near the intersection of Highway 59 and Highway 12.

Mayor Johnston said this vacant building is nearly double the size of the town's now former Walmart's Neighborhood Market location.

From what he's heard, Mayor Johnston said the town and those nearby in Decatur and Gravette couldn't' be more thrilled with the news of Harps coming to town.

"Social media has just exploded with it and I've received some pretty good e-mails and text messages in support of what our community is doing and it's been a community effort," said Johnston.

Locals we talked to say they're left with a bitter taste in their mouth after Walmart left, but are happy for the convenience the new Harps will bring back to their community.

"I'm excited for it," said Gentry resident Ashli Clary. "You know, driving to Siloam it takes like 15 minutes versus you know I can just run into town after work and grab the necessities that I need."

"I'll probably go to Harps. Just the feeling of what Walmart did coming in and closing down the local stores. We have a Walmart about four miles away, but I think we'll be happy to go to Harps," said Rob Gettys who lives near Gentry.

Harps representatives said they're planning to completely gut and renovate the vacant store and said their goal is to have the new store ready to open by Christmas of 2016.

Gravette's mayor also tells 40/29 News they've recently signed a deal to bring in a CV Family Foods grocery store which is expected to open by this Thanksgiving.